I’m coming out…and I’m not alone

Holly Dziewulski

These days, coming out of the closet is a difficult task. Part of the struggle is with the fear that can come from revealing sexual orientation to family members and friends. Homophobia also keeps gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the closet.

Gaining acceptance from others can be a difficult task for anyone. However, one project and one website may help people unite in the cause of promoting equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) people.

On Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day, which is a day set aside for those either belonging to or supportive of the GLBT community, will allow many to express themselves.

Regardless of sexual orientation, people all around the United States are encouraged to visit one simple website, hosted by the Human Rights Campaign, and give their support for equality to everyone.

The Human Rights Campaign believes that their project “creates resources to help GLBT people come out for the first time, tools to help straight Americans understand and show their support for GLBT equality, and more.”

The Human Rights Campaign Coming Out Project is the first ever online art project that encourages America to “Talk About It,” which is the slogan for the campaign.

Its Website can be found at http://www.hrcsnapshot.org/ Once there, one can participate simply by downloading one of two signs that encourage people to talk about the GLBT issues. After downloading the sign, participants take a picture with it and someone to talk about the issue with and then post it onto the Website.

After putting the picture online, it may take a couple of hours for it to be approved and posted, but one may inform friends and family members about the site, thus taking action in promoting equality among all people, whether gay, lesbian, bisexual, or straight.

Living with being gay, lesbian or bisexual is not an easy journey and does not end with one admitting sexual orientation. The Human Right Campaign wrote, “coming out and living openly is a lifelong journey.”